Man charged in burglaries at churches

A photograph discovered in a churchyard was a key to solving a crime and making arrests in a recent burglary at the church, according to a news release from Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

BY LISA ROGERSTimes Staff Writer

A photograph discovered in a churchyard was a key to solving a crime and making arrests in a recent burglary at the church, according to a news release from Sheriff Todd Entrekin.A church member was cutting grass at Kyuka Baptist Church during the weekend when a photo booth, four-strip picture was found in the churchyard, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office investigator Jason Argo said.The teen in the picture, 19-year-old Caleb Scott Heaxt, was a suspect in the burglaries at three churches, Argo said, but investigators had been unable to place him at any of the churches.Heaxt now has been charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and one count of second-degree theft. Another teen, younger than 18, will be charged through juvenile court.“When they found that picture, they were suspicious,” Argo said. “It just didn’t seem right.”The person went to the sheriff’s office website, found Argo’s email address and sent the picture to him on Monday.“We were able to place him (Heaxt) at the church with that picture,” Argo said.The pictures show Heaxt and a girl. However, she was not with him at the church. The picture was in Heaxt’s car and apparently fell out when he and the other teen went to the church on Aug. 8.A computer monitor, printer and a lapel microphone were stolen.During the investigation, it was discovered that Heaxt and the other teen sold a drum set, stolen from Cox Chapel United Methodist Church, to a Marshall County music store on Aug. 9.Employees at a pawn shop were aware that investigators were searching for the two teens and called Argo when Heaxt and the other teen went to their shop about 2 p.m. Aug. 9 to sell the computer, printer and lapel microphone.Sardis Police Chief James Harp assisted investigators in the arrests of the two after they left the pawn shop. Harp was able to make a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 431 just inside the Sardis City limits, where the teens were taken into custody.Heaxt later admitted to investigators that he broke into two of the three churches. All stolen items were recovered and returned to the proper owners.Heaxt admitted to attempting to break in at Unity Baptist Church, just off Horton Gap Road, but an alarm system apparently scared them off.Jones said nothing was missing from Unity Baptist Church.Heaxt was held in the Etowah County Detention Center and later released on $7,500 bond.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Online Services

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Gadsden Times ~ 401 Locust St. Gadsden, AL 35901, Gadsden, AL 35901 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service